For a more conversational break down of the following rumors and speculation, download the latest episode of Now, This Is Podcasting! at the end of this post.

The information below consists of what we’ve heard from multiple sources on the same topic. Some might be solid and some might be less than perfect. We’re doing our best with what we have!

EDIT: I just want to let everyone know this information is what we are hearing. It might be incorrect. We can’t say for sure. We don’t have that kind of access. This is simply what we are hearing from people that have proven to us that are from Pinewood. I don’t want anyone to get their hopes up or down for that matter. But let it be known, this is what we are heard in the last two weeks and it could be accurate or inaccurate.

POTENTIALLY HUGE SPOILERS BELOW.

For the last few weeks, I have spoken to people in various departments at Pinewood Studios. Obviously, we talked about Star Wars: Episode VII. No one was extremely forthcoming and most asked me not to write about most of what we talked about. That’s cool. I’m honoring that and what I’ve left out has been at their requests. I don’t want anyone to get in trouble and I love hearing stories about the production first hand, so I have no desire to put an end to that privilege. Every source I spoke to was excited about the film being made at Pinewood Studios. It needs to be noted up front that none of these people have read the script. I’m going to say it again for clarity: I have not had communication or spoken to anyone that has held a script in their hands or read it. This rumor is a rumor amongst the people around Pinewood, some on Star Wars VII and some in the vicinity. These people are informed but things are still a mystery to them too.

I had one person turn on location services and send me a photo from their vehicle and they were exactly where they should have been. Each of these sources has proven themselves to be related to the production in ways I will never divulge.

Here’s the gist: The bad guys in Star Wars: Episode VII are being called “Jedi Hunters” by people working on and around the film. These are scary individuals, dressed in black, some helmeted, that hunt Jedi for the Empire.

Further explanations: When I first heard about the “Jedi Hunters,” I thought it sounded neat. Then I heard it again and again. So I started to really take it seriously in the last few days. Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. It occurred to me these sound exactly like the Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels. The original person to bring up “Jedi Hunters” had no idea what Star Wars Rebels was all about. I filled this person in and they said it sounded exactly like what they’re filming for Star Wars: Episode VII.

It should be noted that none of the sources heard the term “Inquisitor.” They just heard “Jedi Hunters” as they were reffered to on and around the sets in various departments. These hunters use lightsabers. So it kind of becomes a game of semantics, perhaps. But lets make it clear, no single source ever said “Inquisitor.” They all said the premise of the Inquisitor from Star WarsRebels sounds identical to what is in the film itself. One said they had the impression the Jedi were fighting this group for a very long time.

A third source is adamant that David Oyelowo is voicing one of the three villains in the film. That lines up with what Jedi News heard a while back. Maybe it is old information, I have no idea. I have often asked myself if Jedi News’ rumor is being talked about on set by some chance. Is there the possibility of a feedback loop so to speak? Perhaps, but either way, we’re hearing Oyelowo is involved.

Another source says Lupita Nyong’o, Adam Driver, and David Oyelowo are making up the cast of villains in the film and they’re “Jedi Hunters.” They also said Lupita might wear “yellow contact lenses” in the film as she was seen trying them out and walking around with them some time ago to try them out.

The villains are said to be characterized by black and chrome with troopers in similar black and chrome uniforms. They’re very imperial, but very new. My sense is these guys are like General Grievous’ Magna Guards from Revenge of the Sith (my analogy not from a source).

Supposedly the “Jedi Hunters” or Inquisitors (from the sound of things) are the reason there is no New Republic after Return of the Jedi. That’s right, they’re saying there is no New Republic. Source #2 claims to have been on set for a sequence in which we learn the Jedi Hunters worship the Sith and want to resurrect them. Their mandate was to protect the Sith at all costs and insure their survival.

This source also believes Luke Skywalker has been fighting to stop this for the last thirty years of his life, but he is outnumbered, tired, and in need of help.The bad guys have a goal: The resurrection of the Sith and it “sounds like it happens in the next film” meaning Episode VIII and “I guess they kill him (said resurrected Sith) in IX.”

No one could or would answer if the Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels was in Star Wars: Episode VII.

Informed Speculation:
These “Jedi Hunters” might explain why potential family members are hidden away on strange places like Tatooine.

Everything is pointing towards Darth Sidious starting an army of Force Users, as we saw in The Clone Wars: Children of the Force. These “Jedi Hunters” can never become Sith, but they’re powerful. Someone like Luke Skywalker could really only challenge the Sith when using the dark side. So these Inquisitors or “Jedi Hunters” are formidable foes for Luke Skywalker and the future Jedi that follow his teachings.

Presumably, they never go after Luke Skywalker during the original trilogy era because Darth Vader has deemed him off limits, the Sith have plans for him. Upon the death of Darth Vader and the Emperor, the Inquisitors become stewards of the Emperor’s vision for order and power via imperialism. Darth Sidious apparently left these cult members with a path should he ever parish or be betrayed that would resurrect himself or some Sith to continue the legacy of the Sith. Perhaps Moraband is the key?

The moment Luke Skywalker returned to Endor in Return of the Jedi, the Inquisitors became the ultimate evil power in the universe. Naturally, they hunted him for revenge because if the Jedi ever returned to defending the galaxy, the Inquisitors would be in peril.

My guess is this is what our post-Return of the Jedi Expanded Universe might look like. If accurate, it sounds exciting and fresh.

Now on to the podcast!

The whole gang is back together in this all new episode of Now, This Is Podcasting! Join Jason, Randy, Johnamarie and Jeremy as they discuss some juicy new Star Wars VII rumors!